Air cadets who are planning a night under canvas as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Scheme will soon have brand new stoves to cook their meals on thanks to the generosity of a UK rail firm.
The cadets, who are members of the 1211 Squadron (Swadlincote) Air Training Corps, will use the stoves during an expedition later this year after the squadron was given money to buy them by MTMS, which is based in nearby Moira, Leicestershire.
The company, which maintains rail depots and equipment across the country, made the donation as part of its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a nationwide pledge to support current and former members of the armed forces and their families.
It also involves a commitment to supporting local cadet forces, a gesture MTMS has underlined with previous donations to Swadlincote ATC, including a £750 donation last October which was used to upgrade the squadron’s glider flight simulator.
1211 Squadron is based in Eureka Park, John Street, and currently has 85 cadets on its books, but, with numbers expected to rise, it is on the look-out for new premises in the town.
In the meantime, it is also grateful for donations from firms such as MTMS, whose funding helps the group buy equipment in order to offer its young members a range of activities including D of E, leadership courses, canoeing, learning to fly and computer skills.
Squadron Leader Ruth Morgan, officer commanding the cadet squadron, said: “We’re partly funded by the RAF, but the rest of the funds come through raising the money ourselves or through donations from companies like MTMS.
“We’re very grateful for this latest donation which we have allocated for new camping stoves so that our cadets won’t have to supply their own for when they take part in their weekend Duke of Edinburgh expedition in the summer.”
Malcolm Prentice, group chairman of MTMS, said: “We have pledged our support for the UK military and that pledge starts right on our doorstep in our nearest town.
“Even if they don’t go on to join the RAF, air cadets benefit in so many ways from being a member of the squadron, but the benefits rely on them having access to activities and opportunities and they require funding.
“We’re very pleased to be able to hand over this money and would call on other businesses to help out too. Cadets gives young people a whole host of skills that will help them in later life so for local firms it’s an investment in the next generation of employee.”
For more information visit www.mtms.co.uk
